Big Bill Neidjie facts for kids

Big Bill Neidjie OAM (around 1913 – 23 May 2002) was a very important Aboriginal elder. People often called him "Kakadu Man". He was the last person who could speak the Gaagudju language. This is an Aboriginal Australian language from northern Kakadu. The famous Kakadu National Park is named after this area. Big Bill was a guardian of his land and culture. He cared deeply about keeping them safe and alive for future generations.

Early Life and Learning

Big Bill Neidjie was born around 1913. His birthplace was Alawanydajawany, near the East Alligator River in the Kakadu region. This area is in the Northern Territory of Australia. He belonged to the Bunitj clan of the Gaagudju people. His father was Nadampala, and his mother was Lucy Wirlmaka.

He only went to school for a couple of years. This was at Oenpelli, which is now called Gunbalanya. However, he learned a great deal from his family. His father and grandfather taught him about his traditional culture. They also taught him about his people and their special lands.

Working and Helping Australia

When he was about 20 years old, Big Bill started working. First, he worked with people who hunted buffalo. Then, he worked at a timber mill. After that, he worked on a boat called a lugger. This boat carried people and goods along the North Coast of the Northern Territory. It also went to remote island communities.

In the early 1940s, he took part in a special ceremony at Ubirr. This was an important step in his cultural journey.

During the Second World War, he helped defend Australia. He worked at a radar station at Cape Don. He was in Darwin during the Japanese bombings in 1942. He helped Aboriginal people during and after these difficult times.

People started calling him "Big Bill" because he was strong and had a large build. He also got the nickname "Kakadu Man." This name came from his first book.

Big Bill and Kakadu National Park

Big Bill Neidjie was a very important elder for Kakadu National Park. He was a traditional owner of the Bunitj estate. This area is in northern Kakadu, one of Australia's most amazing national parks.

His decision to share his land with others was key to creating Kakadu National Park. Big Bill helped lease his traditional lands to the Australian Government. This meant the land could be managed as a wild area. It could also be shared by all Australians.

After helping set up Kakadu as a National Park in 1979, he went back to live there. He spent the rest of his life supporting the park's management. He worked as a park ranger and a cultural adviser. His work was very important in getting World Heritage status for the park. Kakadu was listed in three parts: in 1981, 1987, and the entire park in 1992.

Honors and Fame

In 1989, Big Bill Neidjie received a special award. It was the Medal of the Order of Australia. He got this award for his great work in conservation.

He became known around the world as "Kakadu Man." This was because of his work in the park. It was also because of his books of poetry and stories. His very first book was titled Kakadu Man.

In 1988, Kakadu was featured in National Geographic Magazine. It was also the main topic of a TV show called Twilight Of The Dreamtime. Big Bill was a big part of this documentary. His son, Jonathan Yarramarrna, appeared with him. The film also showed Big Bill preparing Jonathan to become the next guardian of their family's lands.

Passing on His Culture

In many Indigenous Australian cultures, there are special stories and knowledge. These are passed down through generations. It is usually not allowed to share these secrets with people outside the community.

As Big Bill grew older, he realized something important. He was one of the last people who knew these Gaagudju secrets. He worried that these stories might be lost forever when he passed away. So, he made a brave choice to share some of them. He wanted his culture to live on.

Besides trusting his son Jonathan with some of the land's guardianship, he told many of his stories to an expert named Stephen Davis. He also published two books. In these books, he shared his deep love for his land. He also stressed how important it was to manage the land in traditional ways. He hoped that one day, his culture would become strong again. He wished that his grandchildren, or their grandchildren, would continue these traditions.

Big Bill Neidjie passed away on 23 May 2002. The Australian Minister for the Environment, David Kemp, said that Big Bill was key to creating Kakadu National Park. He also said that Big Bill was dedicated to sharing his love for his country and culture with many visitors.

His Books

• Kakadu Man
• GAMU The Dreamtime Stories, Life and Feelings of Big Bill Neidjie as told to Sarah George.
  • Publisher: Cyclops Press 2022. Sydney NSW.
  • ISBN: 978-0-6489527-5-6
  • Website: www.cyclopsproductions.com.au

GAMU is the most complete book of Big Bill Neidjie's stories and life history published so far.